Your responsibilities as a dog owner

 
Registering your dog

All dogs over the age of 12 weeks must be registered(PDF, 257KB) with Council. Fines apply if your dog is not registered and if the registration details are not up to date.

Your dog must wear its registration tag at all times, so if your dog becomes lost Council can promptly identify it and return it to you.

Microchipping your dog

All dogs must be microchipped before:

• reaching 12 weeks of age
• being sold
• being given away.

Microchipping can only be done by an authorised microchip provider such as a vet. If your dog is lost and is not wearing its registration tag, Council can identify you as being the owner from the microchip.

Once microchipped, ensure your contact and address details are current with both Council and the company in which your microchip was provided. Fines apply if your dog is not microchipped or if the details are not current.

Desexing your dog

Your dog can be desexed from eight weeks of age.

Not only does desexing effectively prevent unwanted pregnancies, desexed dogs are:

• better protected from certain diseases and illnesses
• generally less aggressive towards other dogs
• tend to be more affectionate
• less inclined to roam or mark their territory
• less inclined to display mating behaviours such as mounting.

Dog off-leash areas

All dogs must be on a leash at all times when in public places, except in designated off-leash areas. If your dog is found wandering at large you may be fined.

Approvals

Approvals are required for the keeping of:

• three or more dogs over the age of 12 weeks (other than a working dog) on any premises
• one or more dogs on non-residential premises
• a guard dog on any premises
• a dog kept on residential premises temporarily; but for longer than one month
• dogs of a restricted breed. Conditions apply, including desexing.

Enclosure requirements

Enclosures for dogs must:

• allow public access to the front door and/or utilities
• be appropriate to the breed of the dog enclosed
• be constructed of strong and firm building and fencing materials
• prevent the dog escaping over, under or through the barrier
• have gates kept closed and latched - Council recommends gates that are childproof and/or lockable.

If your dog is found wandering at large you may be fined. If your dog is impounded additional fees may apply.

Caring for your dog

You must:

• provide a shelter with shade and bedding
• make adequate provision for food and water
• remove animal faeces or food scraps daily to prevent breeding or harbouring of flies or vermin
• ensure waste water from cleaning enclosures does not flow into adjoining properties or create a nuisance.

Barking complaints

If you are aware that your dog’s barking may be causing a nuisance in your neighbourhood, you must take steps to minimise the impact on others.